Hair keratin is an α-scleroprotein whose strength is based on disulfide bonds (S–S) between cysteine residues. In cosmetics, only hydrolyzed keratin — fragmented into peptides of 300 to 10,000 Da — can act on the fiber. Hairswiss explains the exact chemistry, mechanisms of action, and real limits of this essential active ingredient.
Tag: hair care
Hair Biology: What Science Says About Hair Health
Hair health is not a matter of routine, but of biology. Hairswiss analyzes the structure of the hair fiber at the molecular level — cuticle, cortex, disulfide bonds, follicle — and explains how nutrients, heat, and chemical aggressions concretely affect the hair.
Vegetable Keratin: What This Term Really Hides Behind the INCI Chemistry
«Vegetable keratin» does not exist biochemically: it refers to hydrolyzed wheat, soy, or corn proteins, poor in cysteine and therefore unable to reconstitute disulfide bonds. Hairswiss clarifies the difference from animal keratin and explains what these actives actually do on the fiber.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate: Chemistry, Safety and Professional Shampoos
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a synthetic anionic surfactant obtained by sulfonation of C14–C16 alpha-olefins. Its amphiphilic structure gives it high detergency and excellent performance in hard water, with a lower irritation profile than SLS. Hairswiss analyzes its molecular chemistry, surfactant properties and role in professional shampoos.
Hydrolyzed Keratin and Macadamia Oil: Molecular Complementarity on the Hair Fiber
Hydrolyzed keratin (peptides 300–10,000 Da) and macadamia oil (60–85% palmitoleic acid ω-7, rare in cosmetics) form a complementary formulation association: the protein fills cuticle gaps, the oil reconstitutes the surface lipid film. Hairswiss analyzes their mechanisms of action and synergy on degraded hair fibers.
Blue-Violet Pigments in Neutralizing Shampoos: Chemistry of Chromatic Subtraction on Bleached Hair
Blue-violet pigments in neutralizing shampoos work by color subtraction: crystal violet or anthraquinone molecules (maximum absorption at 580–600 nm) neutralize the yellow-orange reflections (580–600 nm) of bleached hair through light interference. Hairswiss explains the chemistry of direct pigments and their deposition mechanism on porous fibers.
Hair Gel: Polymer Chemistry, Hold Mechanism and Professional Guide
Hair gel is an aqueous polymeric formulation — typically acrylates, PVP or carbomers — that creates a flexible hold film on the hair fiber as it dries. Hold level depends directly on polymer concentration and molecular weight. Hairswiss analyzes the exact chemistry, the deposition mechanism on the cuticle and the professional selection criteria based on fiber type and desired result.
The Three Hair Types: Molecular Basis of Hair Fiber Curvature and Formulation Implications
Hair types (straight, wavy, curly) are not an aesthetic classification: they reflect the elliptical shape of the follicle and the asymmetric distribution of disulfide bonds in the cortex. This geometry directly influences porosity, mechanical resistance, and response to cosmetic actives. Hairswiss explains the molecular basis of hair curvature and its implications for formula selection.